Washington Burglary Lawyers

Burglary is the act of entering a building with the intent to conduct another crime there. To be charged with a crime, a person does not need to use force to enter the building.

In Washington State, a suspect may still be accused of burglary even if they had permission to enter the building. If the defendant overstayed the invitation and planned to commit a crime in the building in those circumstances, they may have committed a burglary.

What Does First-Degree Burglary Mean in the State of Washington?

A first-degree burglary happens when a suspect enters a building while committing another felony. The defendant commits a burglary and uses a lethal weapon or attacks another person. Burglary in the first degree is regarded as a class A crime.

What is a Class A Felony?

State criminal justice systems are divided into two categories: felonies and misdemeanors. Less severe crimes called misdemeanors carry smaller fines and shorter prison terms. In contrast, felonies carry substantially heavier penalties, including longer prison terms and greater fines.

Typical examples of these crimes are homicide, rape, kidnapping, arson, and burglary.

Misdemeanors and felonies carry different sentences in terms of time behind bars.

Furthermore, a felony conviction carries harsher penalties than a misdemeanor. For instance, a felony record may harm your chances of getting a job or obtaining certain professional certifications.

What Are Class A Felony’s Civil Repercussions?

A class A felony carries significant civil repercussions in addition to criminal charges and possible prison or jail terms, such as:

• It gets harder to find work prospects
• You lose the ability to receive financial help for higher education
• You lose the right to serve on juries, you can’t hold public office or run for office, you can’t own firearms, and it gets harder to find sufficient housing.

What Takes Place Following the Felony Conviction?

The kind of offense you committed and your criminal history will determine this. You may qualify for probation after taking into account various other circumstances. Probation is the suspension of a jail term, albeit occasionally, a person must first spend some jail time. Maintaining certain requirements is part of probation, and breaking them can result in jail time.

In addition, parole is an additional choice after a criminal conviction. A conditional release before serving the entire prison term is called parole. It is comparable to probation in that you must adhere to the rules established as your parole in your particular case and meet regularly with a parole officer.

Additionally, you can appeal your felony conviction in a higher court. It is difficult to accomplish this and calls for the attorney to demonstrate that there was an error made during the initial criminal trial procedure. A felony conviction remains on your record as well. This could hamper your chances of finding a job. As a result, some request the expungement of their criminal record.

This entails having the conviction erased from your record and made to appear as though it never occurred.

You can hire a lawyer if you are charged with a class A felony to discuss the potential of receiving less severe fines or penalties. The repercussions of a criminal conviction are severe. As a result, it’s crucial to think about the crime’s punishment in light of the criminal classification system that Washington uses.

If you have been found guilty of a felony, you have a variety of options. Getting in touch with a class A felony attorney is essential if you want to comprehend your options (for example, parole, probation, or expungement). Additionally, your case may be problematic if you have a criminal background, in which case you should seek the help of a criminal attorney.

How Does the State Define Second Degree Burglary?

Breaking and entering a building to commit a crime against a person or the property inside is what this offense means. Second-degree burglary does not include breaking into homes or automobiles; it solely applies to non-residential structures. Burglary in the second degree is regarded as a class B felony.

Why Was I Accused of Breaking into a House?

Residential burglary is defined as the unauthorized entry into or habitation of a person’s house with the purpose of committing another felony. Mobile houses and travel trailers are included in this. Residential burglary in the state of Washington is a class B felony.

Is Robbery Considered the Same Crime as Burglary in Washington State?

They are not the same, no. Burglary is the act of breaking into a building to commit a crime. In contrast, robbery entails physically or verbally threatening to use force to steal someone else’s property.

How Long Can I Spend in Prison for a Burglary Conviction in Washington State?

If found guilty of first-degree burglary, the defendant could receive up to life in prison and a $50,000 fine. Second-degree burglary and residential burglary are both punishable by up to ten years in jail and a fine of $20,000, respectively.

What Elements Does a Judge Take into Account When Punishing a Burglary?

A judge may take into account the following factors when calculating a person’s total sentence for burglary:

• The person’s prior criminal history;
• Whether they are a repeat or chronic offender of burglary;
• What kind of setting the burglary occurred in—for example, a home versus an abandoned building—what kind of crime was committed there—or what kind of crime the intruders meant to commit;
• When the incident occurred (some states have more severe penalties for nocturnal burglaries than for daytime burglaries);
• Whether a weapon or violence was used during the crime (or if there were any threats of harm); and the defendant’s mental state at the time the burglary occurred (for instance, if they were intoxicated, so they were unable to form the necessary intent to commit burglary).

To determine the most suitable sentence given the circumstances, all of these considerations will be considered.

What Does the Mandatory Sentence for Burglary Entail?

Burglary offenses may occasionally be subject to laws requiring obligatory sentences. The phrase “mandatory sentencing” often denotes a situation in which the penalties and fines cannot be modified. Typically, they involve the bare minimum in terms of fines and jail time. The judge may impose longer sentences or larger fines, but they cannot be lower than the minimum.

What is Burglary Alternative Sentencing?

In some cases, a criminal charged with burglary may be eligible for an alternative sentence.

Alternative sentencing refers to punishment choices intended to keep the offender out of jail or prison. The offender may be given alternative sentencing choices, such as house arrest alternatives, work release programs, mandatory therapy or rehabilitation, community service, or other options that the court determines.

Typically, only certain defendants, such as first-time offenders or juvenile offenders, are eligible for alternative sentencing (usually under the age of 18). However, it will always be based on the case’s facts and the presiding judge.

Do I Have Any Effective Burglary Defenses?

Yes. Although burglary defenses might differ, some typical ones include:

• Defendant did not plan to commit a crime while inside because they had the authority to be there
• The act was pressured and imposed on the defendant.
• Plaintiff gave the defendant permission to carry out the act.

Should I Speak to an Attorney About My Burglary Charge?

Yes. For assistance in fighting your burglary charge, speak with a criminal attorney in Washington. An attorney can assist you with your legal needs and inquiries.